What Is Considered On The Job Injury?
Stewart Law Offices represent workers who have suffered on-the-job injuries across South Carolina. We know that you may have questions about your rights and how you can seek the benefits you need after an on-the-job injury. We’re here to answer your questions and stand up for your legal rights.
Workers in South Carolina should be financially protected if they are hurt on the job. Workers’ compensation coverage exists to protect employees, but the laws regarding these benefits can be complex and difficult to understand. The process of filing for and receiving the benefits you deserve can be challenging. Fortunately, an experienced attorney can help prove your injury, file the correct paperwork, and work to help you get the financial assistance you need.
When a workplace accident makes you unable to work and support yourself and those you love, turn to a legal team that can help you seek the compensation you need to pay your bills and move on with your life. The workplace injury lawyers at Stewart Law Offices are committed to standing up for injured workers. We’re ready to put our experience to work for you. Our consultations are always free, and if you cannot visit our office, we’ll come to visit you in the hospital or at home when possible.
Commonly Reported Workplace Injuries
Some jobs are inherently more dangerous than others, but workers can be hurt anywhere, at any time. The workplace accident attorneys of Stewart Law Offices have handled a wide variety of on-the-job injury claims including:
- Brain injuries – Vehicle collisions, falls from an elevation, falling tools, slips or falls, or machinery accidents could cause severe head and brain injuries. Because the brain controls all of the body’s functions, any damage to this vital organ could have a lasting impact on the person’s life and livelihood.
- Spinal cord Injuries – Damage to the spinal cord can impact every aspect of the victim’s life. Depending on the location and extent of the damage, the victim could lose strength, sensation, and bodily functions below the site of the injury.
- Broken bones – There are different types of bone fractures, which means that treatment and recovery time will vary depending on the type and severity. The injured worker may be unable to return to work for a significant period of time while they wait for the injury to heal.
- Knee injuries – Injuries to the knee are very common for workers in the construction, warehouse, nursing, and fast-food industries. Workers who are required to be on their feet for long periods of time or lift heavy objects are at a higher risk of suffering a knee injury. Some common injuries include sprains, torn cartilage, shattered kneecaps, and repetitive stress injuries.
- Shoulder injuries – Workers commonly report impingements, fractures, labral tears, and rotator cuff tears from accidents or repetitive motion on the job. These injuries can make it difficult for the worker to carry out their duties and could require surgery or rehabilitation.
- Neck injuries – These injuries can be caused by a sudden accident or can develop gradually over time. Neck injuries in the workplace are often the result of car accidents, slip-and-falls, falling objects, or repetitive motion.
- Eye injuries – Even when workers wear safety goggles, facemasks, and other protective gear, eye injuries can still occur. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20,000 workplace eye injuries occur each year, ranging from eye strain to severe trauma. Damage to the eye could result in vision loss and, in some cases, permanent blindness.
- Amputations – Collisions, heavy machinery accidents, and other severe trauma could result in the loss of one or more limbs. These are some of the most serious and impactful types of injuries that occur in the most common workplace accidents:. Employee training, workplace safety practices, and administrative oversight could help control the hazards that lead to amputations, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- Repetitive stress injuries – The range of repetitive stress injuries that workers can suffer is wide because they can affect almost any movable part of the body. Sustained strenuous positions, repetitive tasks, exertions of force, and compression all can lead to severe and debilitating RSIs.
How we’ve helped former workers comp clients
What are My Legal Options for On-the-Job Injuries?
If you get hurt at work, do not ignore your injury. Serious injuries may occur due to a single incident, or they may develop over time. In either case, you need to inform your supervisor and seek medical attention.
The following options allow you to seek benefits to aid your recovery:
- Workers’ Compensation – Most employees hurt at work are eligible to receive compensation from workers’ compensation laws. The state-mandated insurance program allows injured workers to receive benefits that pay for their medical expenses and part of their regular wages while they recover and adapt to their injuries. Most workplace injuries can allow employees to receive workman’s comp. You should always allow a workers’ compensation lawyer to assist you when filling out a workers’ comp claim.
- Third-Party Claim – If you are injured at work by a third party such as a contractor, a non-employee, or a defective product, you may be eligible to file a claim against the individual or business that injured you. Third-party claims often provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our lawyers can tell you when you have the right to file a third-party claim.
- Lawsuit Against Your Employer – For the most part, workers’ compensation laws prevent injured workers from suing their employers. However, in some cases involving severe recklessness or intentional harm, you might have options beyond workers’ compensation benefits.
How Stewart Law Offices Can Help You
While training, workplace safety protocols, and proper safety gear can reduce the number of workplace injuries, as long as workers are on the job, injuries will still occur. If you’ve been hurt in a workplace accident or if you’ve developed a condition due to the nature of your job, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to help you recover.
At Stewart Law Offices, we know the stress and worry that workers suffer when an injury leaves them unable to care for themselves and their families. We are here to help you seek workers’ compensation benefits for your on-the-job injuries. We can assist with every step of the process, from filing for benefits to fighting on appeal if you are wrongly denied the compensation you need.
We’re here to answer your questions and assist with your legal needs if you’ve suffered an on-the-job injury. Our consultations are free, and if possible, we’ll visit you in the hospital or at home if you are unable to come to our office.